asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state in respect of each year since the commencement of the Social Welfare Act, 1952, based on the sale of agricultural insurance stamps, the additional contribution income and the total for that period, which would have been paid into the Social Insurance Fund if the agricultural employers' payment to the Social Welfare Stamp had been the same as the industrial employers' contribution.
Written Answers. - Agricultural Insurance Stamps.
42.
The information requested is as follows:—
|
Year ended |
Amount |
|
£ |
|
|
31st December, 1953 |
121,362 |
|
,,,,1954 |
183,038 |
|
,,,,1955 |
178,404 |
|
,,,,1956 |
152,886 |
|
,,,,1957 |
134,564 |
|
,,,,1958 |
174,512 |
|
,,,,1959 |
175,777 |
|
,,,,1960 |
170,941 |
|
,,,,1961 |
225,393 |
|
,,,,1962 |
252,901 |
|
Total |
£1,769,778 |
The foregoing figures are based on stamps sold in respect of male agricultural workers. Corresponding figures for female agricultural workers cannot be given because the contribution rate for such workers applies also to certain other classes of insured persons, and it is not possible to segregate the agricultural stamps from the others.
The amounts given above for the years 1956 and 1957 are based on the numbers of stamps sold at rates which can be identified as male agricultural contributions. From the 3rd September, 1956 the contribution rate for male agricultural workers was increased from 2/6d. to 3/2d. and that for certain other classes, including female agricultural workers, from 2/-to 2/6d. For a considerable time after the 3rd September, 1956, the 2/6d. stamp was purchased both for current stamping in respect of female agricultural and other workers and for late stamping in respect of male agricultural workers. No segregation is available of the 2/6d. stamp sales after that date as between agricultural and non-agricultural employment or as between male and female employment.